Disney is now also making the necessary live-action remakes Vaiana (2016) to a version with real actors. Moana (Catherine Laga’aia) has been drawn to the ocean all her life, but her father prevents her from crossing the protective reef around her island of Motunui. When an ancient curse threatens the survival of her people, she decides to take to the open sea. During her journey she is joined by the quirky and self-righteous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Together they brave dangerous creatures, mythical islands and the vagaries of the ocean, as Moana discovers what it really means to be a leader and choose her own path.
Disney is once again following the same course
In recent years, Disney has increasingly opted to retell well-known animated films with real actors. Classics like The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992) in The Little Mermaid (1989) received a new version. That Disney right Vaiana (2026) for a live-action remake is no surprise. The animated film grew into a streaming phenomenon in recent years and was even the most streamed film in the United States in 2023 and 2024. Not the most streamed animated film, but the most streamed film. This makes the original one of Disney’s greatest successes in recent years. With such a successful predecessor, the bar for the new version is high. Whether the live-action version manages to capture that magic again will largely depend on what the viewer expects from this new journey to Motunui.
Lots of quality, little surprise
Those who mainly hope for a visual spectacle will have little to complain about. The visual effects are of a high standard and the world of Motunui comes to life again thanks to the beautiful images. The musical side of the film also remains strong. The well-known songs are used well and the new additions generally fit well within the story. In addition, the cast is one of the strongest points of the film. Catherine Laga’aia knows how to portray Moana convincingly and Dwayne Johnson also does what is expected of him as Maui. Yet it is still difficult sometimes not to just look at Dwayne Johnson in a wig with long hair. His charisma is undeniable, but his humor won’t work for everyone. Some of the humor in particular feels very aimed at a young audience and can become a bit tiring for adult viewers. The biggest problem of Vaiana However, it is not in the implementation, but in the lack of innovation. The film actually takes over everything from the animated version and therefore feels more like a copy than a new interpretation. True, for example The Lion King (2019) also repeated many well-known elements, that version managed to create its own identity with minor adjustments. Vaiana unfortunately does not dare to take that step.
A new version without new ideas
Ultimately it is Vaiana above all a feel-good film for the whole family. The beautiful images, recognizable music and the adventurous story make it a safe choice for a fun movie visit with children. Financially, the film almost seems like a guarantee of success, partly thanks to the enormous popularity of the original. The areas where the film falls short, such as the lack of innovation and the sometimes lame humor, will probably hardly pose a problem for the youngest target group. The ocean is calling again, and for millions of families the journey to Motunui will once again prove a familiar and entertaining destination.
Vaiana is now showing in 90 cinemas.
View cinema times Alblasserdam (OV) Alkmaar (Atmos, NL, OV) Almere (NL, OV) Almkerk (OV) Alphen aan den Rijn (3D, NL, OV) Amersfoort (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Amsterdam (3D, Atmos, 4DX, NL, OV) Apeldoorn (3D, NL, OV) Arnhem (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Breda (3D, NL, OV) Cuijk (NL, OV) Delft (3D, OV) Den Bosch (3D, NL, OV) The Hague (3D, 4DX, OV) Den Helder (3D, NL, OV) Deventer (3D, NL, OV) Doetinchem (3D, NL, OV) Dordrecht (NL, OV) Drachten (NL, OV) Ede (3D, Atmos, OV) Eindhoven (3D, Atmos, 4DX, NL, OV) Emmen (3D, NL, OV) Enschede (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Gorinchem (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Groningen (3D, NL, OV) Haarlem (3D, NL, OV) Heerhugowaard (3D, NL, OV) Hellevoetsluis (OV) Helmond (OV) Hilversum (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Hoofddorp (3D, NL, OV) Hoogeveen (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Hoogezand (3D, NL, OV) Hoorn (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Hulst (NL, OV) Kampen (NL, OV) Kerkrade (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Klazienaveen (OV) Leeuwarden (3D, Atmos, OV) Leiden (OV) Leidschendam (NL, OV) Lisse (OV) Maastricht (3D, Atmos, 4DX, OV) Nijmegen (3D, Atmos, 4DX, NL, OV) Oss (3D, NL, OV) Panningen (NL, OV) Purmerend (3D, NL, OV) Reuver (NL, OV) Rotterdam (3D, 4DX, OV) Schagen (3D, NL, OV) Schiedam (3D, Atmos, OV) Spijkenisse (3D, NL, OV) Stadskanaal (OV) Tilburg (Atmos, OV) Utrecht (3D, 4DX, NL, OV) Veghel (NL, OV) Venlo (NL, OV) Venray (OV) Vlaardingen (3D, Atmos, NL, OV) Vlissingen (3D, Atmos, OV) Wageningen (OV) Weert (NL, OV) Woerden (OV) Zaandam (OV) Zoetermeer (3D, NL, OV) Zutphen (NL, OV) Zwolle (3D, Atmos, 4DX, OV)
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Image: ‘Moana’ via Disney
